Anger can creep up on us when we least expect it. I often hear people say that they go from 0 to 100 before even realizing what it was that triggered them. You may have seen anger in your own family, or maybe it’s completely new for you. Regardless, anger management treatment can help you be in control of your reactions, especially when we are tested so much by New York City stressors.
Anger serves an important purpose in our lives. It protects us and lets us know something is wrong. It can be our defense mechanism that keeps us safe when, emotionally, we are not. It’s okay for us to honor the role anger has played, but it may be time to find new ways to meet our needs.
As much as anger has served us, it also hurts our relationships. There may be certain specific things that you know that set you off, or there may be times you can’t identify what has triggered you. Understanding your anger is hugely important. We need to be able to identify the triggers, thoughts, feelings, and then behaviors. By acknowledging the triggers and emotional wounds, we are able to communicate more effectively what it is we’re looking for from others.
Maybe you explode with anger, and say or do things that you regret. You may feel out of control, and that your behavior and words are not an actual representation of you. Have you lost a job or relationship because of angry outbursts? Do you “see red”, throw things, or fantasize about acting on your anger? You may raise your voice, lose your temper, and start noticing people avoiding you, or walking on eggshells.
Honoring your anger and finding new ways to cope can change your reactions to responses, and enable you to be heard in a completely new way. Working with us will help you understand your anger as a secondary emotion, and identify your primary feelings that are often overlooked. It will help you find ways to be in control, instead of allowing your anger to control you.
What I expect of you:
I expect a serious commitment from you in our work together. I expect you to be open to learning, growing, and receiving feedback that will relate directly to your role and relationships with anger. I expect you to try not to be defensive, to communicate when you are, and to commit to altering the behaviors that are getting in the way of your growth. When these conditions are met, we have an excellent chance that you will reach your goals, and create space for a new, positive relationship with your emotions.
